viking.com | 22
W I N T E R I S S U E 2 6
Follow a chef through the local markets
Accompany our onboard chef on a shopping
excursion and experience France's market
culture firsthand. Visit Bordeaux's covered
market, Le Marché des Capucins, where the
best cooks in the region source their
ingredients. Tour the stalls with your chef and
meet local vendors as he shares stories behind
the produce and translates conversations
along the way. Sample regional specialties—
cheese, olives, cold cuts and more—as you
soak up the atmosphere of this bustling
culinary hub.
Go truffle hunting in Périgord
Learn the art of truffle hunting from a local
farmer and his hound and take a scenic drive
to the Périgord region, where dense forests
and food traditions abound. Visit a truffle
farm, meet the farmer and his dog and
discover the secrets of the elusive black
Périgord truffle. After sampling this rare
delicacy over lunch, continue to the historic
town of Saint-Émilion—home to world-
famous wineries and centuries-old
architecture.
Explore the flavours of Bordeaux and
beyond on our Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
river voyage.
Take a Roman holiday in Arles
Outside Rome, Provence was the most
important territory in the Roman Empire. All
along the river Rhône you can see a wealth of
Roman architecture. The town of Arles played
an important role as the one-time Roman
capital of Gaul, Britain and Spain. Its huge
amphitheatre held up to 20,000 bloodthirsty
spectators who used to gather to watch
gladiatorial combat.
Enjoy art for art's sake
Arles is a hit with many Viking travellers. This
is where Vincent van Gogh lived from 1888 to
1889 and where he painted many of his
masterpieces. You can follow in the Dutch
artist's footsteps as you wander the
cobblestone streets of this historic, UNESCO-
listed city on your included tour. Pause for a
refreshing drink at the Yellow Café at Place du
Forum that featured in his work, Café Terrace
at Night.
Visit the Palace of the Popes in Avignon
Apart from its famous bridge, Avignon is best
known as the City of the Popes, having hosted
seven pontiffs in total, between 1309 and
1377. In 1335, the French pope of the day
built an opulent Gothic structure, the Palace
of the Popes. Everything was created on a
grand scale with no expense spared, as you
can see when you stroll around the indulgent
interiors of the private papal apartments and
stare in awe at the stunning Italian frescoes.
Explore Arles and Avignon on our Lyon &
Provence river voyage.
Marvel at Monet's garden
Few gardens are more beautiful than Monet's
masterpiece at Giverny. Monet married
flowers according to their colours, mixing
simple daisies and poppies with rare
expensive varieties and leaving them to grow
freely. The result is a symphony of colour, lush
and full of light and shade, and perspectives;
a garden of life.
Between April and November, wander
around this enchanting garden on our river
journey, Paris & the Heart of Normandy.
Clockwise, from top:
Cheese monger; Sunset view of
Palais de Papes and the cathedral
in Avignon, France; Claude
Monet Garden.
VIEW VOYAGE
VIEW VOYAGE
VIEW VOYAGE
